Singapore Sling

Singapore Sling formed in Reykjavik, Iceland, in 2000 around the eight-tracked material of Sling chief Henrik Bjornsson. Together with guitarists Helgi Petursson and Einar Kristjansson, maraca player Siggi Shaker, bassist Toggi Guðmundsson, and drummer Bjarni Johannsson, Bjornsson fleshed out his glowering, gritty songs, which drew inspiration from the Velvet Underground and the shadowy post-punk of Suicide, as well as latter-day groups like the Jesus & Mary Chain and the Brian Jonestown Massacre. While recordings were still scarce, an appearance at the 2001 Iceland Airwaves Festival was well-received, and the band returned the following year to even more acclaim. In late 2002, Singapore Sling signed with the American indie Stinky. A gig at South by Southwest followed, and June 2003 saw the release of the Sling's debut full-length, Curse of. Singapore Sling then embarked on an American tour in support of the LP.